The moment their eyes met, Wen Ying felt a flicker of irritation. “What does that have to do with you?”
Her tone was even harsher than when she spoke to Xu Yanxi.
Xu Yanxi’s gaze lingered between the two of them for a moment, and recalling the scene from the bar last time, her eyes took on a thoughtful look.
Fu Tingchuan, however, did not think much of it. Wen Ying had always been like this, her moods unpredictable, happy one moment and angry the next, without any clear reason.
Still, they were in public, and Gu Qingyu was his friend. Fu Tingchuan squeezed Wen Ying’s hand lightly, signaling her to restrain herself.
Then he explained to Gu Qingyu with some embarrassment, “Don’t mind her. She just has a bit of a temper. She’s not targeting you.”
As her fiancé, it was only natural for him to speak up for her.
But as the one being “defended,” Gu Qingyu’s gaze darkened slightly behind his glasses.
He lowered his eyes to look at their clasped hands, the curve of his lips flattening almost imperceptibly, though his tone remained gentle and smiling. “Of course I know. There’s no need for you to explain.”
Fu Tingchuan did not think much of it, assuming Gu Qingyu was understanding and giving him a face.
Then Gu Qingyu asked again, “So, what were you talking about just now?”
Fu Tingchuan was a little surprised that he seemed so interested, but still answered, “We were talking about a vacation. I’ve already taken leave, and tomorrow I’ll be going to a hot spring resort with Wen Ying.”
“Oh? Really?” Gu Qingyu raised a brow with interest. “I happen to be free as well. Would it be convenient to let me join you?”
Fu Tingchuan was even more surprised.
He was planning to spend time alone with his fiancée, and no one with any sense would suggest joining them. Yet the one making the request was Gu Qingyu, who was usually so tactful, which made it feel strangely off.
Fu Tingchuan glanced at Xu Yanxi, thinking that Gu Qingyu probably wanted to spend more time with her.
He hesitated, reluctant to have others interrupt his time alone with Wen Ying, yet unable to refuse his friend outright.
Wen Ying, however, rejected it immediately. “Not convenient.”
At that moment, Xu Yanxi spoke with a smile, “I’m quite interested as well.”
It was clear the two of them also intended to go together.
After all, the resort was not private property. Anyone could go, and Fu Tingchuan could not stop them.
“Then let’s all go together.”
It was just traveling together. They would not necessarily stay together the entire time. Gu Qingyu and Xu Yanxi would surely want their own time as well, so it would not interfere much.
With that thought, Fu Tingchuan agreed and even settled on a departure time, without asking for Wen Ying’s opinion at all.
Wen Ying was so annoyed that she shook off his hand and walked away.
Fu Tingchuan apologized briefly before hurrying after her.
Gu Qingyu watched their retreating figures, his expression unreadable behind his glasses.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, only to meet Xu Yanxi’s meaningful look.
She wore a polite smile, though her eyes held a hint of amusement. “Then Mr. Gu, I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Gu Qingyu gave a slight nod, his refined and composed expression unchanged as he returned her smile and gestured courteously for her to go first, appearing gentle, modest, and impeccably polite.
“They’ll definitely split off and do their own thing. They won’t interfere with our time together. At most, we’ll just be traveling in the same direction.”
Fu Tingchuan chased after Wen Ying and grabbed her wrist, trying to explain, only to have her shake him off again. “Who cares about that?”
“Then why are you angry?”
Yes, why was she angry?
Wen Ying paused, momentarily stunned. She just felt irritated for no clear reason. “Did you ask for my opinion? I already said it wasn’t convenient. Why did you still agree?”
“Wen Ying, be reasonable. That place isn’t exclusive to us. We’re just going at the same time, not staying together the whole time.”
“I’m not being reasonable.” She had no patience to argue further. She simply felt annoyed.
As soon as she got into the car, a message popped up on her phone.
【Want to meet?】
Fu Tingchuan had just started the engine when he leaned over. “Who’s that?”
Wen Ying had not expected him to look so suddenly. Fortunately, she had changed Gu Qingyu’s contact name a few days ago.
“Irritating pest? Who’s that?”
Ignoring the message, she locked the screen. “No one. Just a friend.”
But before she could finish speaking, the screen lit up again.
Irritating pest: 【I kind of miss you.】
Fu Tingchuan had not yet withdrawn his gaze and happened to see the message.
Wen Ying’s eyelid twitched as she considered how to explain it, or whether to ignore it altogether.
Fu Tingchuan, however, scoffed. “It must be those freeloading friends of yours again. She’s not missing you, she just wants your money. Don’t fall for their nonsense, and stop hanging out with them.”
Then, as if remembering something, he added warily, “Don’t let them sweet-talk you into bringing them along to the hot spring resort tomorrow.”
Wen Ying felt a wave of relief, though she also could not help wanting to curse him for being an idiot. Wasn’t he the one who had invited others along?
The destination was not far, just within the city, so they all drove there.
When Fu Tingchuan saw that Gu Qingyu and Xu Yanxi had arrived separately in their own cars, he was momentarily surprised.
Their dynamic felt rather strange.
In private, they seemed intimate, yet in public, they appeared distant and polite.
Fu Tingchuan guessed they were keeping their relationship a secret.
After all, if he had not seen them kissing with his own eyes, he would not have known about Gu Qingyu and Xu Yanxi either.
Gu Qingyu had never been one to share his personal life.
After parking, hotel staff came to receive them and led them to check in.
Fu Tingchuan had booked two suites with private hot springs, one for himself and Wen Ying, and another for Gu Qingyu and Xu Yanxi.
However, Gu Qingyu and Xu Yanxi had each booked their own rooms.
Since they were trying to keep their relationship hidden, Fu Tingchuan found it understandable that they had booked separately.
But since they had already made their own arrangements, he suggested canceling one room.
Gu Qingyu’s smile cooled instantly, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his glasses. “You two are staying together?”
The question sounded oddly pointed.
Just as Fu Tingchuan was about to nod, Wen Ying spoke first. “Since it’s already booked, there’s no need to cancel it.”
Gu Qingyu’s brows relaxed at once, and the smile on his lips deepened.
Before Fu Tingchuan could speak, Wen Ying quickly added, “I don’t like sharing a room. I’ll stay in one by myself.”
Since she said so, Fu Tingchuan could not force her, though he felt disappointed and unwilling.
He had truly shot himself in the foot. If he had not agreed to bring Gu Qingyu along, he could have simply booked one room.
He had always thought there was no rush, and later they had only argued and sulked, so much so that they had never made any real progress.
Now, even taking a step forward seemed difficult.
Seeing Wen Ying about to follow the staff member to her room, Fu Tingchuan grabbed her wrist, unable to stop himself from asking, “Do you really want to stay alone?”
Gu Qingyu, who had been heading toward the adjacent room, paused at this.
Xu Yanxi deliberately stopped beside him and said with a low laugh, “I didn’t expect Mr. Gu to be so interested in other people’s affairs.”
Standing so close, her movement looked almost like she was whispering something intimate.
Wen Ying glanced at them unintentionally, then quickly looked away.
She lowered her gaze to the hand on her wrist, then looked up at Fu Tingchuan. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his deep eyes carried a faint hope that she would change her mind.
Wen Ying raised a brow. “You want to stay with me?”
Fu Tingchuan glanced around again, once more regretting not listening to her earlier.
Gu Qingyu had always been easygoing. Even if he had refused, he likely would not have been upset.
Fu Tingchuan cared about his image and was not used to lowering himself. He rarely apologized, and even more rarely spoke in a humble tone.
The recent apologies he had made to Wen Ying were already his limit.
In the past, it had always been Wen Ying who pursued him, and sometimes he had even rejected her out of pride.
Now, to admit such a thing in front of others made his face flush red.
But he knew that Wen Ying would no longer chase after him like before. If he continued as he had, their relationship would never progress.
After only a brief hesitation, he nodded and tightened his grip on her wrist. “We’re engaged. It’s only natural for us to stay together.”
“Alright then.” Wen Ying sounded indifferent, then turned to instruct the staff to move her luggage to Fu Tingchuan’s room.
Though summer had just passed, the surrounding air seemed to grow suddenly colder.
Gu Qingyu calmly stepped away from Xu Yanxi. “It seems Miss Xu also enjoys watching a spectacle.”
His tone remained gentle. Although he was speaking to her, his gaze stayed fixed on the pair in the distance, a faint chill surrounding him.
Li Jiayue smiled and gestured to the staff. “The temperature seems a bit low.”
After settling their luggage, they headed to the reserved restaurant for dinner.
As soon as Wen Ying sat down, Xu Yanxi took the seat beside her.
“Why are you sitting next to me?” Wen Ying showed no courtesy and told her to sit opposite.
Xu Yanxi smiled calmly. “Aren’t we good friends? Sitting together lets us share some girls’ talk.”
Wen Ying could not stand her pretentiousness. Since when were they good friends?
Fu Tingchuan, who had originally intended to sit beside Wen Ying, paused briefly before choosing a seat across from her instead. He took the menu from the waiter.
After ordering a few dishes, he passed the menu to Gu Qingyu.
But Gu Qingyu did not open it.
Instead, he pushed the menu toward… Wen Ying.
Xu Yanxi sat opposite him, while Wen Ying was the farthest away.
By habit, most people would pass it to the person closest, yet Gu Qingyu deliberately bypassed Xu Yanxi to hand it to Wen Ying.
His movement appeared natural, as if nothing was unusual, yet it was precisely that naturalness that made it feel subtly different.
Fu Tingchuan looked at him with a hint of confusion.
Gu Qingyu remained calm and composed, turning with a smile. “Is something wrong?”
His expression made it seem as though it was merely a polite gesture. Gu Qingyu had always been courteous, so there appeared to be nothing improper.
Fu Tingchuan silently blamed himself for overthinking and shook his head. “Nothing.”
Wen Ying, however, noticed none of the undercurrents. Without even glancing at the menu, she pushed it toward Xu Yanxi. “Just order a few signature dishes.”
Xu Yanxi returned the menu to Gu Qingyu with a polite smile. “You all can decide. I’m not picky.”
Gu Qingyu accepted the menu and named several dishes.
Fu Tingchuan looked surprised. “I remember you didn’t eat spicy food before, did you?”
Yet the dishes Gu Qingyu had just ordered were all spicy.